In this correspondence we  discuss that graduate and Ph.D. students need to be made aware that a position as principal investigator (PI) in academia is not the career default to attain. We argue that a change in the mindset of students via more inclusive guidance concerning future career prospects will help reduce the feeling of failure, with associated depression and anxiety, many Ph.D. students are currently facing. A reset of research career default mindset is needed, among others.

This is correpondence is part of my goal to promote and support professional development of yNVVI and yEFIS network members.

link to Correspondence